But here’s the short version: Thurber, a 29-year-old mother of two from Cohoes, has had to withdraw from Maria because of a medical emergency. She would have taken two classes this semester and would have paid her bill entirely with a student loan.

But the loan disappeared when she withdrew from school, per federal regulations, leading the school to hit Thurber with a $1,113 bill, due immediately.

That’s the policy at Maria and some other Capital Region colleges — withdraw from school, even early in the semester and for reasons beyond your control, and you have to pay a portion of your tuition. (A Facebook page set up to support the Thurber family is here.)

Are such policies fair? Should they be changed? If you’ve had a chance to read the story, offer your opinions here. (UPDATE: The College on Monday told Thurber it would reverse its decision and forgive her bill. Click here to read more about the decision.)